While the Celtics have been relatively healthy to open the season — other than Kristaps Porzingis — a lingering injury has affected one of their stars. Jaylen Brown revealed to the Boston Globe‘s Gary Washburn that his left hip flexor issue has been bothering him since training camp. Brown told Washburn that he had an MRI for the flexor two weeks ago, and he’s planning to get another one in the next few days.
The first MRI revealed some fluid, Brown said, as that has affected his game through the opening weeks. Brown missed his first game of the season Saturday in the back-to-back against the Hornets. “I haven‘t felt like my legs have been underneath me, dealing with this hip flexor,” Brown told the Globe.
“It‘s more (affecting) my explosion and my burst. And then, mentally, trying to figure that out as well. Thinking about it kind of throws everything off a little bit, but I’ll be fine.
” Brown has averaged 25.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.
8 assists in 36.0 minutes per game in his six games so far. While he had a hot start to the season shooting the ball, he‘s down to 26.
7% on his 3-pointers and 40.0% overall. Brown said he doesn‘t like missing games at the start of the season, but it does sound like an injury he’ll have to manage going forward.
On the flip side, the Celtics have the luxury of being able to be cautious with Brown if the injury needs some rest. They have the depth to overcome Brown‘s absence, and while he might not want to miss gam.